Jul 19, 2010
By Jim Straw.
Trust … on the web (Internet), in mailorder, or anywhere else in business or life … can only be “earned.” Therefore, to inspire ‘trust,’ you must do those things which will allow you to “earn” the trust of the people with whom you deal.
To begin with, how many times have you gone to a website and discover there is absolutely no way of knowing ‘who’ operates the site … or how you can contact them (other than through the website itself)? — Then again, even when you contact them through the website, how often do you get a prompt response that actually “answers” your inquiry?
Unfortunately, too many petty crooks, phonies, flakes and fakes love the Internet for the simple reason that they can claim just about anything in their materials … without much chance of discovery … because no one knows who they are. — I have also observed that too many otherwise honest people use this same anonymity to simply hide the fact that they are beginners in the business community, working from home, or just a small operation. (A lesson they learned from the Internet-Gurus who have told them that “on the Internet, you can look like a BIG company.”)
Throughout my 50 years (man & boy) in the business community, I have found that “real” business people put their “real” names and addresses on everything they do. — If YOU don’t want to put YOUR NAME on the products or services YOU sell, either YOU or YOUR PRODUCT are suspect.
Even when I was barely dry-behind-the-ears, I used my real name and address on everything I did. — I never tried to change people’s opinions about dealing with a kid. — If people didn’t want to deal with a kid, I accepted that as just another factor I had to overcome by providing “superior” service to those who would deal with a kid. — I let my “customers” convince the skeptics that I was worthy of their business. (That’s what “testimonials” are all about.)
Beyond that, if anyone ever asked, I admitted that I was a kid. — I didn’t try to pretend I was anything other than what I was.
Granted, I always attempted to present the best “professional” appearance in all my dealings … just like the Internet-Gurus who tell you that you can have the appearance of a BIG company on your website … but, my “professional” appearance was adopted because I tried in all ways to “conduct” myself as a professional would in my dealings … my purpose was not to deceive.
Building “trust” in the business community requires only that you identify yourself, put your best professional-foot forward, admit your shortcomings, and “do exactly what you say you can do” promptly and professionally. — “Trust” will come … when you have earned it.
You can NOT earn anyone’s trust, if your are anonymous.
